Letter: Zoning for the common goodTo Mayor Horton and City Council members, For a moment, take our Russellville Library out of Casey's General Store's zoning request and consider many other reasons to deny another highway commercial zoning in our Central Business district and its surroundings. Years of investment by property owners and renters have gone into bringing the historic heart of our town back to life, not only by the "vested," but by time and money from our community...

Letter: Library asks council to block proposed convenience store On June 23, a very important zoning issue will come before the Russellville City Council so that the Russellville Public Library (RPL) can carry out plans in conjunction with the Downtown Russellville Master Plan (DRMP) in revitalizing Russellville’s historic Downtown. A change in this zoning would allow a very large Casey’s General Store gas station to occupy one-half block downtown, and would prevent the city of Russellville and the Library ...

Letter to the Editor: The epitome of an American GentlemanToday as I sit and contemplate on this Memorial Day, I ran in to a co-worker in his military uniform, one look at this guy and my heart just swelled up with good old fashioned American pride. The mans name is John Heflin, and you would never in a million years guess his age at 81. John is a widower, he served in the army, was certified to drive anything but a tank, as he says. He retired from the phone company after 35 years of service, all th...

Letter to the Editor: Memorial Day sentimentalismThis Memorial Day we will remember all the service men who gave their lives that we might enjoy freedom. Those who were blessed to live through World War II came home with horrific memories of things they had seen during the war. Along with these memories they faced seemingly insurmountable struggles finding employment and starting their lives over again. Through jobs established through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian...

Letter: Was it a hint or a promise our road would be sealed In 2002 when we checked on buying land on Wild Flower, our real estate agent mentioned future seal coating. In 2016 that has not happened yet. Pope County has two new graders. Wild Flower is ¼ mile long. Several roads could have been sealed for the price of one grader. Mother Nature’s rain settles the dust, washes away the silt to the lower part of the road where neighbors deal with mud. The road dries out and soon the graders show up to softe...

Letter: GOP front-runner using power of suggestion to persuade votersHave you noticed that the winner in the race for president in the Republican party is using Post Hyptomatic suggestion in his speeches, knowing that people or most will accept bad news more easily than good news. Say it loud enough and long enough and the people will believe it. I correctly predicted what would happen if we invaded Iraq, and the letter was printed in the COURIER. I was living at Pottsville when Herbert Hoover was president and...

Letter: Response to the trash can jokeI agree with Mr. Dalrymple on everything but removal of trash cans. When the one-hauler system came up, removal of cans was discussed. We were assured that cans would be removed from roadways only to find out there was never an ordinance put in effect to cover this. Yes, this is a problem all over town. There are hundreds of residents who never retrieve their cans. They’re left on right of ways in many areas which blocks residents vision from ...

Letter: Trash can jokeTrash can joke Are you as fed up with government interference in your life as I am ? It seems that the Russellville City Council wants to extend their government overreach and micromanagement deeper into the citizens lives. Now they want to tell you when you can put your trash can out for pickup and when to put it up. Most of the citizens of Russellville did not like the city going to one trash service. They put several small haulers out of bu...

Letter: Questions for Mosesso about CWD and politicsAs an avid deer hunter and enthusiast of all things wild here in the Natural State, the recent findings of CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) positive elk and deer near Ponca concern me. I’ve Googled CWD more times than I care to count over the last few weeks. I’ve spoken with respected journalists who covered the disease. And I have a fair grasp on current research and methods of slowing the spread of CWD. Because of this knowledge, I take a quest...

Letter: Downtown Depot Park When we moved to this wonderful community some 14 years ago, the town was involved in renovating the Depot in Historic Downtown Russellville; to bring it back to its glory days. That endeavor has turned out beautifully. Many years ago, we even suggested that the old caboose be restained a brilliant red, remodeled and used as a food/drink concession stand; building a ramp in the back and creating an opening for service; install a refrigerator f...

Letter: The swimming pool we're all paying forWell $600,000 short and well behind schedule and we should be surprised -Ha Ha. They have not even put a shovel in the ground and they are $600,000 short. My prediction is (based on contractor past performance and City Council lack of performance) a year minimum over the schedule, once they figure a start date and $1,000,000 of taxpayer dollars over budget. Just wait until the “well needed - past due” convention center hits front page. Andy Ja...

Letter to the Editor: Chain of responsibilityOn Monday morning (3-7-16), while newscasters were talking about other things, an information blurb scrolled across the bottom of the television screen advising us that two presidential candidates (Clinton and Sanders) disagreed on whether gun manufacturers should be held liable when their weapons are used in crimes. The blurb did not specify which candidate was AGAINST the idea but I want to align myself with her or him because I agree it is ...

Letter to the Editor: Do you want Trump?I hear his supporters say he’s blunt and self funded. And that is true. He doesn’t have to fund his own campaign. He’s getting free air time from the media. Why would he buy the cow when he gets the milk for free? The amount time he’s being interviewed by the big networks of all stripes and the amount of time videos of him speaking rallies is more than triple what ALL the rest of the candidates have gotten. And his supporters give him a free r...

Letter: Guantanamo Bay detainees releasedThis morning, while newscasters were talking about other things, an information blurb scrolled across the bottom of the television screen advising us that seven former Guantanamo Bay detainees have engaged in terrorist activities since being released. Why were they released? From previous news broadcasts, I understand that the facility at Guantanamo Bay was being closed but why did that necessitate the release of people being held there? Yes, ...

Front Yard ParkingWas checking with Code Enforcement some time back about cars parking in front yards of residence. Was told that there is not an ordinance against it. To me, it detracts from the looks (and value), of a home to see cars in the front yard. Some in our neighborhood park 2-3 cars in the front yard. I have even seen motor homes parked in front yards in the city limits permanently with tarp over them for years. We also have pickups with boat and tra...

Inappropriate adult behavior March 4, my wife and I attended the presentation by the first-grade students from Pottsville Elementary School highlighting a study of Arkansas History. Our grandson was in the production along with all of the other first graders. The production they gave showed many hours of preparation by their teachers, aides and hard work by the students. The students should be very proud of what they did. They showed their talents in singing and dancing w...

Fireman investigation ignites fire stormIt would appear to the untrained eye, that the Russellville City Council needs to start attending Municipal League training sessions and read up on the city’s Personnel Manual. Perhaps if they followed policies and procedures, we wouldn’t be having the “grand-standing power plays” and mischief going on. As clearly stated in the Guidebook for Municipal Officials of Mayor/Council Cities and the Russellville Personnel Policy and Procedure Handboo...

Letter to the Editor: Help returning veteransHelp returning veterans I appreciate the picture and story which appeared in the Feb. 20 edition of The Courier. The picture and story called attention to the SMVA efforts to help returning veterans. Nothing I could say or do, equals the many ongoing efforts to help returning veterans with underlying issues. Another organized group helping veterans is the local Veterans DAV Chapter 27. Sam Nieman is a member of the Veterans Park Committee and ...

Letter to the Editor: Back to the future part 3As Marty arrives in the time machine, the professor is waiting and asked, “Well Marty, is it fixed?” “No,” Marty replied. “I still ended up at Russellville, Arkansas, in the year 2026. But some exciting things are going on there. “The Old Person Hotel at 500 Main has been redone with modern rooms, a beautiful lobby, and a coffee shop at the observation deck on the roof. You can sit up there and observe the trains going by, or the shoppers in d...

Leash lawI believe that the City of Russellville has “leash laws” for pet owners. I’m pretty sure they were written for all dogs and all people. I do not recall any exceptions for small dogs, cute dogs, harmless dogs, poodles, etc. I do not recall any exceptions for turning them loose without being on a leash just before 8 AM or after 5 PM or, only on weekends. It should not be necessary for me to have to watch where I step in my own yard. I don’t want...